Drying apparatus for plates oe metal and other material



sept, 1s, 1923.

c. WAGNER ET AL DRYING APPARATUS FOR PLATES O F METAL AND OTHER MATERIAL AFilled June 8. 1922 6 SheetsShet l mw www ATTORNEY Sept. 18 1923. 1,468,181

c. WAGNERyET Al.

DRYING APPARATUS FOR PLATES OF METAL AND OTHER MATERIAL Filed June s.' 1922 6 sheetssheet-2 C ATTORNEY Sept. 18 1923.

C. WAGNER ET AL DRYING APPARATUS FOR PLATES oF METAL AND OTHER MATERIAL 6 Sheets-Sheb 3 Filed June 8, 1922 ATTORNEY C. WAGNER ET AL DRYTNG APPARATUS FOR PLATES 0F METAL AND OTHER MATERIAL Sept. 18

Filed June 8, 1922 6 Sheets-Shea?l 4 Aff?? INVEN VAA. \0.\ w @KANN NWN, MW,

ATTORNEY Sept. 18 1923. 1,468,181

c. WAGNER ET Al.

y DRYING APPARATUS FOR PLATES OF METAL AND OTHER MATERIAL Filed June 8, 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY Sept. 18 1923.

C. WAGNER ET AL DRYTNG APPARATUS RoR PLATES oF METAL AND OTHER MATERIAL Filed June 8, 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 m. 0 O .@zg l- 0 o R Q mw Z A 3R. s RR i o lEllli; o o To ,NM RR ATTORNEY Patented Sept.. 18, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT i OFFICE.

CHARLES WAGNER, OF GRANTWOOD, AND AUGUST HORMEL, OF JERSEY CITY,

NEW JERSEY. Y.

DRYING APPARATUS FOR' PLATES OF METAL AND OTHER MATERIAL.

Application filed .Tune 8, 192

T 0 all whom t may concer/fi Be it known that we, CHARLES lionne and AUGUST HORMEL, both citizens of the United States, and residents, respectively, of Grantwood, in the county of Bergen and State of New Jersey, and 260 Griiiith Street, Jersey City, vState of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements 4in Drying Apparatus for Plates of Metal and Other Material, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in drying apparatus for plates of metal and other material The present invention is an improvement upon the drying apparatus described in applicants Letters Patent No. 1,293,261 of February 4th, 1919, and in applicants prior application Serial No. 340,201, iiled Novembetr 24th, i919.

One of the objects of this invention is to produce a drying apparatus embodying conveyor chains and plate carriers mount-e,r thereon which will enable plates wet on one side with a coat of paint or like material to be handled in such a manner `as to cause the coated surface to be dried in its passage in opposite directions through the app-ardue without gripping the plates and without in any way engaging and thus marring the coated surface; and to this end we provide means wherebyY the plates in the manipulation thereof at one end of the machine are caused `to have a sliding movement, instead of the usual swinging movement, and this slidingl movement is preferablyl accomplished during the feeding of the plates between the plate carriers so that such wet plates may be fed into, supported in substantially upright position, conveyed through thel apparatus in one direction and then swung around and conveyed in the opposite direction without engaging the wet or newly coated surface.

Another object is to provide means for feeding plates into an apparatus of the character described by a continuous sliding movement from a vsubstantially horizontal position to a supported position between plate holders'which is slightly inclined from the vertical. in-the direction of conveying movement o Such, pla-tes Serial No. 566,896.

Another object of our invention is to provide, in combination, a pair of spaced conveyor-chains, a series of plate holders mounted on one of suoli conveyor chains, feed mechanism adapted to feed plates having a wet coat on one side to said holders by a gradual upward sliding` movement `and without turning until such plates are in supported positions inclined in the direction of conveying movement; means for transferring said plates to the other chain by a swinging movement in the direction of inclination of the plates so as to complish such transfer by engagement with the dry side of the plate and means for guiding the plate holders during the opposite movement thereof to cause the inclination thereof to be changed so as again to be inclined in the direction of the* forward movement thereof.

Another object of our invention'is the provision of means for producing` greater opening between adjacent plate holders for the purpose of more readilj,7 sliding a piste between adjacent holders. This is preferably accomplished during the feeding` movement and' comprises the combination with a conveyor chain having a series of plate holders mounted thereon, of means for causing said conveyor chain to traerse a non-circular path and preferably to pass over a; sharp curve or corner in its movement from the bottom stretch to the top stretch so as to cause` sharp breakin the chain and an opening of greater extent bctween'adjacentplate holders than would occur iT" the chain traversed a gradual circular path.

Another object of our invention is the provision, in combination with pair of conveyor chains, of a series of plateholders which are arranged to supper plates in rearward travel on one chain and to transfer the plates to forward' travel on the other chain by Contact with one side of the plate only. and to this end we provide means for causing said plate carriers during their travel rearwardly to assume rearwardly-1n- Vclined plate-supporting positions and during their travel forwardly to assume forwardlyinclined plate-supportincr positions whereby supporting contact during both.

rearward and forward movements will be maintained with the same side of the plate.

Another object of our invention is to provide a simplified spacing Adevice `for the top of the plate holders comprising 'a laterally-extending hook at the top of each plate-holder which is vadapted to abut against an adjacent holder.

Another object is the provision, in combination with va conveyor chain vsupported to traverse a sharp curve, of conveying belts for slidingly feeding a plate in an upwardly-inclined position between adjacent plate holders and preferably so conveyinsuch plates above the plane of'movement or such belt and into sliding and then 'supporting contactwith a `plate holder `retained in a position inclined in the vdirection o'tmovement of the chain.

Another object of our invention fis the provision, in combinati-'on `-with a conveyor chain and plate holders arranged in an initial position inclined in the direction of movement so as to carrynp'lates -having engagement at one ledge onthe top stretch and to cause a lowering thereof .in the Vsame direction during the 'movement of the chain from its 'top rearwardly moving stretchfto its bottom forwardly moving'stretch, of transfer means adapted to engage the 'opposite edge Vand to cause a positive -moifem'ent of the plates and Vto prevent any excessive sliding thereof during the 'transfer 'from one chain to the other.

VViththese and other objects in view, vthe invention comprises 'the combination of members andai-rangement ofparts so combined as to Vco-act and cooperate with each other in the ,performance of the Aifunctions and the accomplishment ofthe results herein contemplated; and 'comprises in one of its adaptations the species or preferred vform illustrated `in the accompanying` drawingffi, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a drying paratus embodying our invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary7 plan view of the front portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1,the casing being cut away and illnetrated in section;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line '3 3 of Fig. 2 of the front portion of the machine,

Fig. 4 is a section Von the line 1 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 3 of 'the rear end of the apparatus;

Fig. t3 is 'a vertical section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5 lookingin the direction of the arrow;

Fig. V7 is a section on Vthe .line 7 7 of Fig. 3 looking inthe 'direction offliearrow and lparticularly showing the delive'rymechanism in plan;

Fig. `Si 'is an enlarged Ysection 'on'the line 8 8 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrow and particularly illustrating the plate holder controlling` mechanism;

' Fig. 91is an enlarged'fragmentary section on *the line 9 9 of Fig. r"8 vlooking 'in the direction of the arrow;

Fig. v10 is a detail lview-on the .line l10 10 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a section on the line 11-11 of F ig. Blocking in the directionfo. he arrow,

Fig. 12 is an enlarged view in side elevation of the `upper end of the transfer means shown in Fig.v 5;

Fig. 13 is an end 'view-ofthe 'portion 'of the transfer means shown 'in Fig. 14;

Fig. 14 is a top view of that 'portion vof the vtransfer means showninfFigs. '12 and 13,;

Fig. 15 is a detail -view of a )lifting arm for raising the 'plate hlders 'from horizontal to rearwardlyeinclined position;

u Fig. 16 is asectionionthe line 1lfd-1:6 of Fig. 15; K

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic view of fthe mechanism operating :the lifting 'a'rms 'illustrated in Fig. 15; and

Fig. 18 is aI view similar "to 1T Vof lifting imeans `for operating .the plate holders to allow the falling of plates on to the delivery belts.

:Referring now Vto 'these drawings, 'which illustrate preferred embodiment of'our invention, Our Plate dryne 'apparatus .embodies the following elements;

The Genoeg/01 chains.

Two .pairs ofendless conveyor chains Je.

and B respectively are 'mounted `in verti'- i cally spaced relationship "to each other. These two pairs of conveyor chains 'are mounted inframe castings arrangetlinpairs C- l land D D at the front and rear of `the machine respectively.

The members-of the upperpair'of chains A. extend parallel to each other and are adapted to convey plates in one direction or rearwardly, and the members ofthe lower pair of chains, which also extend in parallel relationship, are adapted to convey the plates inthe opposite direction orforwardly. As illustrated, `the upperpair ofch'ains are vmounted at opposite ends upon front and .rear sprockets 1 1a -fast on front and rear shafts Q Zavjournalled in said 'frame castings and 'the lower jpair of 'chains are :likegears 6 and 7 to worm 8 on the worm shaft 8. A sprocket 9'fast on said worm shaft rotates, by me-ans of sprocket chain 10, another sprocket 11 fast on a shaft 11a and having a worm 12 mounted thereon, and the two worms 8 and 12 mesh with upper and lower worm wheels 13 and 14 fixed on upper and lower front shafts 2 and 4, on which are mounted the chain sprockets 1 and 2. This arrangement causes the two shafts 2 and 4 and sprockets 1 and 2 to rotate synchron ously in opposite directions for the purpose of driving the upper and lower pairs of chains A and B respectively.

The plate holders.

The upper pair of conveyor chains are preferably of the type shown in our former application for Transfer Chains for Drying Apparatus, Serial No. 452,632, and have pivotally mounted thereon a pluralityV of plate holders 15 which, as shown, comprise frames each preferably formed of a strand of wire spanning the members of the upper pair of chains and mounted at opposite ends on the opposite links of the said pair of chains. Said plate holders are each bent intermediate its endsV substantially in rectangular conformation, except at the top center which is further bent forwardly in the form of a hook 15a which is adapted to abut .against an adjacent holder and spaces such holder from the adjacent holder. rlhese hooks are preferably formed integrally by bending the single strand of wirel comprising a plate holder intermediate its ends and when so bent adds reinforcement thereto.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the opposite ends of the plate holders are pivotally connected on an aXle which connects two adjacent links of the conveyor chain composed of a series of links each having a central abutment, which abuts at the opposite edge of the chain against the ends of adjacent links to limit the sagging ofthe chain and also forms the ends ofv a slot between adjacent links which is variable in length in accordance with the position of the links and which limits the pivotal movement of the plate holders in opposite directions from the perpendicular. Obviously, when the chain is turning around a curve these abutments will permit a greater degree of pivotal movement of the holders and it will be apparent that in a device of this character the sharper the curve of the chain the greater degree of pivotal movement of the pivoted plate holders will be permitted. It will be seen, therefore, that with a chain so formed the plate holders may, when the chain is horizontally-disposed and on its rearwardly moving stretch, be retained in an initial position inclined to the perpendicular and when means are provided as hereinafter explained for causing the chain to traverse a sharp curve an opening of relatively great extent may be formed between adjacent plate holders.

In accordance with our present invention we provide means at one end, and preferably at the front end of the upper chains, for causing the said upper pair of chains to traverse suoli a sharp corner or curve. As shown, we provide a roller 16 pivoted on a shaft 17 for causing the chain A at said front end to traverse a. sharp curve and thus `permit a wider opening between adjacent plate holders to be produced, and we take advanl tage of this relatively wide space to provide means for causing a sliding movement of the plates tocause the dry side thereof only to Contact with a plate holder and we maintain suc-h contact with the dry side only in the passage of the plate through the appara-tus. In the preferred form of our invention illustrated, we provide means for slidingly feeding plates between an opening thus produced and into contact with a rearwardly inclined plate holder on the rearwardly moving stretch of the upper chain.

The feeding mecham'sm.

The feeding mechanism embodies a series of pairs of conveyor chains and supporting belts which are adapted to feed a plate from a feeding table (not shown) into the space between adjacent plate holders. i

As illustrated, this feeding mechanism comprises a pair of lower conveyor chains 18, upper conveyor chains 19, said chains having projections 18M-19a which engage a Y plate laid thereon,` said chains being driven by sprockets 18b and 19" respectively, vmounted on a shaft 20 having bevel gear 21 meshed with bevel gear 22 on the end ofa short shaft 23 driven by and having a clutch-connection 24 to the worm shaft 11a. The upper end of the pair of'upper chains pre-ferably is positioned above the plane of the .main conveyor chains A and a plate X when mounted thereon will be fed into contact with a rearwardly-moving plate holder 15, so that the top edge of the rear dry side of such plate will engage the rearwardlyinclined plate holder intermediate its ends in a sliding contact. A series of pairs of intermediate supporting belts 25-25 which lie in the 'same plane as their respective conveyor chains and also a pair of short extension belts 25b are provided and driven synchronously with said chains. Thus, the belts 25 are driven by pulleys mounted on shaft 20', while belts 25 and 2.5b are driven from shaft 2O by sprocket chains 25C, driving shaft 25d and sprocket chain 25e.

Ve preferably provide means for positively swinging t-he plate holders into plate supporting position and for this purpose we provide rocking arms 26 having latches 2? which when Yloweredengage a 4:plate holder and `swing the `same into plate supporting position. These arms are connected by rod-s 28 ywith cams 29` on shaft 30 Vwhich is rotated Vsynchronously with-the upper chains by :means of gear 3l meshing` withgear 32 mounted on theshaft .20.

It may be seen, therefore, that a plate ted into supporting),v contact with a pla holder and betweenit andthe adjacent plate holder vby an upwardly sliding n'iovement and avithout engaging ortouching thefup ser wet -surfaceof such plate and -the plate will thereafter l esupportedand conveyed in .an inclined position'by-the upperpair of chains to .thefrear of the apparatus.

-llhenrthe plate is thus'fed above theplane of theupper chain and supported-by a plate holder Vinclined in'thedirection of conveying` movement, wepreferably provide downwardly-incliningguide rods along which the plate will be vmoved till it reaches the chains and is then moved rearwardly by the upper-.conveyor chains vA to the rear of the imachine, and during-suehmovement is subjected to the heat produced by a gas flame as hereinafter specified. y

Vhen plates are so fed into the apparatus and supported it will be seen that theymay be'transferred tothe-lo ver pair'of chains by a movement of theplate holders in vthe same direction inwhichthe same are inclined and the transferring` of the same may then'be accomplis ied without `engagingthe Twet side ofthe plate.

The transfer mechanism.

ln order to procure positive'transfer of the plates to the lower chain without er-rcessive slidingL movement thereof, Iwe preferably provide an auxiliary conveyor chain preferably arranged `in a curved path between the planes of the upper and ylower chains, so that the'edges of theplate opposite to that'on which it isfsupported-onthe vupper chains will beengaged land positively'fed forwardly tothe lower chains as the plate holders move beyond the horizontalposition in their' travel over the lrea-r sprockets lel inthe transferring movement.

As illustrated, 'we provide a pairfof such transfer chains which are lmounted upon sprockets arranged at'opposite endsofarins 39. These transfer chains are .guided -to move `in an arcuate .path by means of guide rods a0 which are yconnected-at oppositeends to extensions 41 and el of the arms 39. As illustrated, Vthe transfer `chains 42 are "each formed of Y-tJ-shaped links fso as to Ipermit a guide rod 40 toseat in agroo've on 'the top edge of the chainfor the'purpo'se-ofguiding the same in'anvareu'ate .path .asherein-above specified. Theguide `rod .is-:suitably adjusted and held by 'rod .holders e3 and 43a `pivoted in the extension arms il and lafand may be adjusted pivotally'by the'adjusting` screws 4A. The body movement ofthe Lguide rod in relation to the holder is controlled by lan adjusting' screw 45.

These transfer chains are arranged at. opposite sides of the vplate holders, as aforesaid, and engage the said vopposite edges ofthe plates at opposite sides'of the middle thereof and guide the same on to the lower chain-B while the plate holders at all times remain in engagement with the same side ofthe plate. The turning movement of such plate holders is limited so that in the forward travelv thereof the hook ends thereof are engaged by the lower transfer chain and they are Vcaused to assume a position inclined to the `vertical in the opposite direction from thatron thertop stretch. This isp-accomplished by a contact of the plate holder with .the llower chain whirh causes the plate .holder yto move pivotally on the aXle of the link out of contact with one limiting` abutment toward theadjacent abutment so as to incline inthe opposite direction, andthe plate is, therefore, always maintained with its dry side in vengagement with the plate holders. The plates are then moved by the vlower chain through the machine to the front end thereof where they are delivered through an opening to ra-delivery belt in fully'dried condition.

YTe preferably provide means for moving' the transfer chains toward and away from the ends of the upper conveyor chains to adjust the size of the space or passage between such conveyor and transfer chains to adapt the same for varying sizes of plates and to prevent excessive sliding movement of plates of relatively small size.

As illustrated. the supportingarms 39 for the transfer chains are mounted pivotally on a. shaft 39a supported in the rear castings. TVe also mount in the rear castings intermediate the ends of said arms 39, a rotatable shaft 70, on which shaftl are mounted link arms 7l and Contact arms 72 having pivotalconnectionsat 73 with the supporting arms S9. Obviously, upon rotation of the Vshaft TO'the link arm 7l. will transmit liower to the contact arm TQfandmove the arms 39 and chains mounted thereon inwardly .or outwardly asdesired. Suitable .meansis `provided for rotating,` Ythe shaft 70, and as shown, the saidshaft is extended to .the outer sideof thecasing and is `provided with a crankhandle 74 for manual rotation anda ratchet .75 on said shaft cooperates with aypawl 76 pivotallymounted above the same tomaintainthe shaft in any position thereof .and thus to position the arms '39 and the chains `carried thereby.

At the Adeliveryvend of the Alower Aconveyor belt, we preferably provide upwardly inclined guidebelt-s a'which retardthe movenient of the lower edges of the plates and at the end of this guide which terminates at the front of the machine, we provide rocking arms 47 which successively engage the plate holders and move the same upwardly and outwardly in anarcuate path so as to permit the plate to fall by gravity on a delivery means by which it is shifted to a pile (not shown) at the `front of the machine. In the form illustrated herein, the rocking arms 47 are provided with latches 48 which engage behind the plate holder and said arms are rocked synchronously' by means of connecting rods 49 and cams 50 mounted on the shaft 30. By their rocking movement, the arms 47 swing the plate holder pivotally in an outward direction and allow the plate to fall, supported side down, on delivery belt 60.

After4 disengagement by the lower chains B the plate holders are preferably retarded `in their initial upward swinging movement by the upper chains A by spring arms 6l until engaged by the arms 47 which thereupon swing the plate holder upwardly into engagement with spring-pressed latches 62 arranged in sockets 63 mounted on brackets 64 extending from the shaft 20. In this way, a plurality or series of plate holders comprising those holders mounted on the chain links passing over the front sprockets may be bunched and retained out of the path of the feed belts and also out of the path of the falling plates as the same are delivered to the delivery belts.

Guard means.

Means are preferably provided for guarding against or preventing the backward movement, during feeding of the plates into the machine and for this purpose I mount on the roof of the machine at the front thereof a pair of guard rods 65 which extend alongside of the path of theplate holders and in case of the fouling of a plate in the feeding movement thereof will prevent a falling of theV late backwardly out of the machine. As i lustrated, these rods are adjustably mounted at one end in holders 65EL pivotally mounted on Vthe roof of the machine; are retained in guarding position by loops 66 also adjustably mounted in holders 67 and have their free ends positioned adj a-' cent to the face of the plates X when in initial position for conveyance through the apparatus. v

The casing.

The opposite sides and ends of the apparatus are preferably enclosed by any suitable casing means so as to confine the heat within the same, and, as illustrated, this casing has a metal frame 51, a cover of sheet metal 52 and a lining `53 of a suitable heat resisting or insulating material, such as asbestos. The casing is, as shown, enclosed at the two sides, at the top and at the rear end, but has openings at the front end contiguous to the delivery outlet for the plates and a hood or shed is preferably lprovided over the front end to assistV in confining the heat within the apparatus.

The, heaters.

The casing may be heated in any suitable manner and is provided, as shown, with heaters comprising preferably pipes 54 constituting` burners which receive gas or other suitable fuel from a supply pipe 55. The burners, Vas illustrated, pass through inverted U-shaped hoods 56 which assist in effecting a uniform diffusion of heat. These heaters are positioned at suitable intervalsalong the air supplied by air pipes 77 suitably `supported beneath the lower conveyor chain, thus causing a circulation of a current of air through the machine from the front portion thereof above the upper conveyor chains rearwardly to the end of the machine, and

thence forwardly between the upper and lower chains, which circulating air currents assist in evaporating the moisture and drying the plates in their passage through the machine. Y

Having claim l. ln an apparatus for drying wet plates, the combination with a casing having suitable drying means, of a conveyor chain mounted to move in said casing, plate holders mounted on said chain and means for causing a plate to be moved edgewise into engagement with a plate-holder during iovcment of such plate holders by the chain.

2, In an apparatus for drying wet plates, the combination with a casing having suitable drying means, of -a conveyor chain mounted to move in said casing, plate holders mounted on said chain and means arranged at one end of said conveyor chain for causing one edge of a plate to engage a plate holder at an angle and to have a sliding contact therewith during movement into supported position on the chain.

3. In an apparatus for drying` wet plates, the combination with a casing having suitablev drying means, of a conveyor' chain mounted to move in said casing, plate holders mounted on said chain and feed mechanism at the front of the machine for slidingly feeding a plate directly into the space between adjacent plate holders andcausing described our invention, we

one edge of the plate to engagea plate 'l lil() ers and causing one edge of the plate to engage a plate holder at an angle and to have sliding Contact therewith. during movement into supported position on the chain, said means comprising conveyor chains eX- tendingat an. angle to the plate-supporting position of the plate holders.

i 5. ln an apparatus for drying` wet plates, the combination with a casing having suitable dryingv means, of a conveyor chain mounted in said casing, plate holders mounted on said chain and feed mechanism for slidingly feeding a plate between adjacent plate holders, comprising a plurality of conveyor chains mountedy at the front of the machine and disposed above the plane of the conveyor chainto cause the plates to engage the plate holders intermediate the top and bottom thereof during rearward movement thereof'.

6. In an apparatus for drying` wet plates, the combination with a casing having suitable drying means,` of a conveyor chain mounted Vin said casing, plate holders mounted on said chain and' feed mechanism for sliding-ly feeding a plate between adjacent plate holders, comprising a plurality 'of conveyor chains mounted at the front ofthe machineand disposed above the plane of the conveyor chain to cause the plates to engage the plate holders intermediate the top and bottom thereof during rearward movement thereof and means for causing an opening ofrelatively large extent between adjacent plate holders, V

7, In an apparatus for drying wet plates, the combination with a casinghaving suitable drying means, of a conveyor chain mountedin said casing, plate holders mounted on said chain and feed mechanism for slidingly feeding a plate between adjacent plate holders, comprising a plurality of conveyor chains mounted at the front of the machine and disposed above the plane of the conveyor chainto cause the plates to engage the plate holders intermediate the top and bottom thereof during rearwardmovement thereof, means for causing an opening of relatively large extent between adjacent. plate holders and means moving synchronously withthe feedingmeans for positively swinging a plate-holder independently of the conveyor chain into plate supporting position after the feeding of a plate to a contiguous holder.

able drying means, of a. conveyor chainr mounted in said casing, plate holders pivotally. mounted on said chain; means atv the front end of themachine for causing a sharp curve or breakin said chain; feeding means for causing; a plate to be fed in the opening between holders produced by such sharp curve and to slide at an angle to and into guiding and supporting contact with a holder, which feeding means comprises conveyor chains extending at an angle to the plate-supporting posit-ion of the plateholders.

l0. ln an apparat-us for drying wet plates, the combinationi with a casing having suitable drying means, of a conveyor chain mounted inr said casing, plate holders pivotally mounted on saidY` chain, means at the front endi of the machine for causing a sharp curve-or break insai'd4 chain; feedmg means for causing aplate-'toV be fed in the opening between holders produced byV such sharp curveand: to slide at an angle to` andlinto guiding and supporting` cont-act with a holder, which feeding means comprises a pluralityof conveyor chains mounted at the frontA ofthe machine and disposed above the plane of the conveyor chain te cause the plates to engage the plate holders intermediate the top and bottom thereof during rearward movement thereof.

l1. In an apparatus forV drying wet plates, the combination, with al casing-having suitable drying means, of` a vconveyor chain4 mounted' in said casing, plate holders pivotally mountedpn saidchain, means atthe frontl endof the machine for causing asharp curvel or` break in saidchain, feedingmeans for causing a plate to be fed in the opening between holders produced by such sharp curve and to slide at an angle to and into guiding and supporting contact with a holder, which feeding means comprises a plurality of conveyor chains mounted at-V the frontofthe machine'and disposed above the plane ofthe conveyor chain to cause the plates tol engage the plate vholders intermediatethe topand bottom thereof during rearward movement thereof, and means moving synchronously with the feeding means for positively swinging-a plateholder independently ofthe conveyor chain into plate supporting position after the feeding of plate to a contiguous holder.

12. In an apparatus for drying wet plates. the combination with a casing having suitable drying means, of a conveyor chain mounted to movev in said casing, plate holders pivotally mounted on. said chain; means for causing the same inthe carrying stretch to assume a position inclined to the perpendicular in the direction of movement of the chain, means for slidingly feeding a plate to such inclined carrier, a lower conveyor chain moving in the opposite direction; means for transferring the plates to such lower chain by a continuous movement in the same direction and means on the lower chain f i limiting the swinging movementV of the plate holder to an inclination in the opposite direction from the perpendicular during the forward travel of plates through the machine.

13. In an apparatus for drying wet plates, the combination with a casing having suitable drying means, of a conveyor chain mounted to move in said casing, plate holders pivotally mounted on said chain, means for feeding a plate to such carrier,

lower conveyor chain moving in the opposite direction, means for transferring the plate to suoli lower chain and a transfer chain for engaging the edges of the plates during the transfer thereof from upper chain to the lower.

14. In an apparatus for drying` wet plates, the combination wit-h a casing having suitable drying means, of a Acontinuous, conveyor' chain mounted to move in said easing, plate holders pivotally mounted on said chain; means for slidingly feeding plates to such holders, a lower conveyor chain moving in the opposite direction; means for transferring the plate to such lower chain by a continuous movement in the same direc-tion, a transfer chain for engaging the edges of the plates during the transfer thereof from the upper chain to the lower and means for guiding said transfer chain to traverse an arcuate path. 4

l5. In an apparatus for drying wet plates, the combination with Va casing having suitable drying means, of a continuous conveyor chain mounted to move in said casing, plate holders pivotally mounted on said chain; means for slidingly feeding plates to such holders, a lower conveyor chain moving in the opposite direction; means for transferring the plate to such lower chain by a continuous movement inv the same direction, a transfer chain for engaging the edges of the plates during the transfer thereof from the upper chain to the lower and means for pivotally supporting and swinging said transfer chain to vary the distance between one end thereof and the upper conveyor chain to accommodate varying sizes of plates.

16. In an apparatus for drying wet plates, the combination with a casing having suitable drying means, of a conveyor chain mounted in said casing, plate holders pivotally mounted on said chain; means for causing the same `in the carrying stretch 'to assume a position inclined in the perpendicular in the direction of movement of the chain, means for slidingly feeding a plate to such inclined carrier, a lower conveyor chain moving in the opposite direction, means Vfor transferring the plate to such lower chain b v a continuous movement in the same direction, a transfer chain for engaging the edges of the plates during the transfer thereof from the upper chain to the lower and a guide rod retained in engagement with said chain and means for ben ling the said rod into an arcuate form to cause the chain totraverse such a path.

17. In an apparatus for drying wet plates, the combination. with a easing having suitable drying means, of a continuous conveyor chain mounted to move in said casing, plate holders pivotally mounted on said chain; means for feeding plates to such holders, a lower transfer chain moving in the opposite direction, a transfer chain for engaging the edges of the plates during the transfer thereof from upper chain to the lower, means for guiding said transfer chain to traverse an arcuate path and means for pivotally supporting and swinging said transfer chain to vary the distance between one end thereof and the upper conveyor chain.

18. In an apparatus for drying wet plates, the combination with a casing having suitable drying means, of a continuous conveyor chain mounted to move in said oasing, plate holders pivotally mounted on said chain; means for feeding plates to such holders and means for causing a circulation of air in a rearward direction above the. upper transfer cham and 1n a forward direction between it and the lower chain, comprising air blowing devices at the front bottom of the machine and deflectors arranged between the paths of rearward and forward travel of the plates and inclined in an upward and rearward direction.

In witness whereof we have signed our names to the foregoing specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES WAGNER. AUGUST HORMEL. lvlitnesses Josnrn; F. OBnmN, HELEN V. WHIDDEN. Y, i 

